JOIN USThe High Court of Karnataka on Monday directed the police to submit in two weeks, a transcript of the alleged incendiary speech by Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangha leader Dr Kalladka Prabhakar Bhat at Hindu Samajotsava at Uppinangady in January this year.
Suresh Bhat Bakrabail, president of Karnataka Komu Souharda Vedike, has filed a public interest litigation (PIL) charging Dr Bhat with hate speech during the event. The advocate for Dr Bhat claimed that there was no substantial evidence for the charges against the latter and that the Vedike was not a registered organisation.
Chief Justice Vikramajit Sen took exception to the submission and sought to know whether the government wants a civil war in the State and the country.
“These types of people are the ones who spoil the image of our country,” he noted.
The PIL said the provocative speech led to a tense situation in Uppinangady and despite that the police allowed Dr Bhat to continue with his talk.
Notice to minister
The High Court has ordered notice to Minister for Textiles and district in-charge for Kolar, Varthur Prakash, in a PIL alleging illegal sand mining in Mulbagal taluk of Kolar district.
According to the petition filed by gram panchayat members of Mustoor in Mulbagal taluk, about 4,000 acres of land in the taluk had turned barren due to illegal sand mining.
The petition states that more than 1,000 truckloads of sand were being transported to Bangalore by the sand mafia and huge pits had formed in the catchment area of Mallapura lake, a major water source for Mustoor on account of unbridled sand extraction. It states that villages in Kolar, Mulbagal and Bangarpet taluks were bearing the brunt of the illegal activity.